The Melbourne Stars made their spot in the Big Bash finals certain with an impressive win over the Perth Scorchers on Saturday night, bowling the reigning back-to-back champs out for a double-figure score.
REPORT: STARS BEAT SCORCHERS IN PERTH
The Stars were only able to put together a total of 146 in their innings with David Hussey’s 36 their best performance with the bat, and looked to be in trouble as the Scorchers went in to chase.
However Daniel Worrall took both of Perth’s openers inside the first three overs of their innings and from there the Scorchers struggled. Adam Voges made an unbeaten 46 but aside from him only two other batsmen reached double figures for the side.
Final score
Melbourne Stars 9/146
Perth Scorchers 94 all out
The Perth Scorchers need a win to keep their chances of finishing top of the table alive when they host the third-placed Melbourne Stars at The Furnace. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 9:15pm (AEDT).
After a slow start to their season, the Stars have won four of their last five matches, to be in third position, making this a key match to determine the make-up of the semi-finals.
The Scorchers have only lost twice this season – both times to the top-of-the-table Strikers – although their last match was a one-run win against the Hurricanes.
Both teams will have their squads tested. Shaun and Mitch Marsh, as well as Joel Paris are on ODI duties for the Scorchers, while the Stars are missing Glenn Maxwell, John Hastings, Scott Boland and James Faulkner.
However, the better performing players this season will be in action. Michael Klinger, the BBL’s all-time leading run scorer, is having another solid season with the bat for the Scorchers, while for the Stars import Luke Wright has been in great form, and Kevin Petersen has been solid if not spectacular.
With the ball, Perth’s leading wicket-taker, Andrew Tye, will look to continue to push his case for a T20 World Cup squad selection. Melbourne’s Ben Hifenhaus will just hope to have better luck than when Chris Lynn got hold off him in his last match.
The last time these teams met was in the semi-final of BBL 04, the Scorchers winning by 18 runs, going on to win the title.
Prediction
The Scorchers are the most successful franchise in BBL history and in the final match before finals expect them to be too strong for the Stars.
Jags
Guest
Watching the match on TV last night, it was the most un interesting match I have ever seen. Good the Stars won, but please don't let Freddie commentate ever again, he talks more dribble than anyone else and his voice is so annoying.
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
Scorchers all out 94 Voges 44 n.o Worrall 3/11 Stars 9/146 (end of 20th Over) D Hussey 36 (25) MW Dixon 3/32Stars
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
Worrall 3/11 from his 4 overs.
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
End of 19th Over 94 all out Voges 44 n.o. Start 9/146 (end of 20th Over) D Hussey 36 (25) MW Dixon 3/32
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
Zampa 2/15 off his 4 overs.
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
End of 18th Over 9/89. Voges 44 Dixon 0 Start 9/146 (end of 20th Over) D Hussey 36 (25) MW Dixon 3/32
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
Hogg out for a duck
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
23 off 18 balls required by the Scorchers for a home semi
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
Scorchers End of 17th Over 8/85. Richardson out. C&B Hilfenhaus Voges 44 Hogg 0 Worrall 2/10 Hilfenhaus 2/10 Start 9/146 (end of 20th Over) D Hussey 36 (25) MW Dixon 3/32
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
Who would have thought 146 would have been enough!
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
Scorchers. Just trying to hang onto 2nd Spot. Need 109. End of 16th Over 7/78. Voges 37 Richardson 2 Worrall 2/10 Hilfenhaus 2/10 Start 9/146 (end of 20th Over) D Hussey 36 (25) MW Dixon 3/32
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
Scorchers End of 15th Over 7/76. Voges 36 Richardson 1 Worrall 2/10 Hilfenhaus 2/10 Start 9/146 (end of 20th Over) D Hussey 36 (25) MW Dixon 3/32
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
Tye out next ball for 10. KP relieved.
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
KP drops a sitter which goes for six!!
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
Scorchers End of 14th Over 6/66. Highlight a mankad attempt by Beer. Voges 33 Tye 4 Worrall 2/10 Hilfenhaus 2/10 Start 9/146 (end of 20th Over) D Hussey 36 (25) MW Dixon 3/32 Reply
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
Scorchers End of 13th Over 6/60. Delay to a broken shoe of the bowler Stoinis! Voges 29 Tye 2 Worrall 2/10 Hilfenhaus 2/10 Start 9/146 (end of 20th Over) D Hussey 36 (25) MW Dixon 3/32
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
Scorchers End of 12th Over 6/54 Voges 28 Tye 1 Worrall 2/10 Hilfenhaus 2/10 Start 9/146 (end of 20th Over) D Hussey 36 (25) MW Dixon 3/32
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
Scorchers End of 11th Over 6/51 Worrall 2/10 Hilfenhaus 2/10 Start 9/146 (end of 20th Over) D Hussey 36 (25) MW Dixon 3/32
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
Another wicket Turner out. Stonis gets wicket.
Matthew Walsh
Roar Guru
Scorchers need to make 108 or will be playing semi final against Stars at the MCG.